Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

What is TMS?

TMS is an innovative, FDA approved, therapeutic option for patients with treatment-resistant depression and/or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Treatment-resistant depression occurs when you’ve tried at least three types of medication without getting relief from your symptoms. You might also experience intolerable side effects that negate the benefits of your medicine. TMS for OCD can be used along with other therapies. 

TMS is a pharmaceutical-free option that uses a magnetic pulse, similar to the magnetic field created in an MRI, to stimulate neurotransmitter activity in your brain. The team at Live Well Psychiatry offers a 10-minute TMS treatment or an express treatment that takes 3-9 minutes. 

The team at Live Well Psychiatry personalizes your treatment, using your scores on the depression and anxiety surveys completed before each appointment. The also uses neuro-cardio targeting to hone in on the best place to position the device on your head. The neuro-cardo targeting also makes sure that each treatment is in the exact same place. 

Insurance usually covers the 10-minute TMS treatment, and Live Well Psychiatry offers an affordable self-pay option for the express treatments. 

Am I a good candidate for TMS?

The team at Live Well Psychiatry uses TMS therapy to help patients with treatment-resistant depression. Generally, if you’re in good health, aside from your depression, you are most likely a candidate for TMS. 

You shouldn’t have TMS therapy if you have any metal in your head, such as aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, or brain stimulators. Titanium plates and metal dental fillings are nonmagnetic and safe for TMS treatment.

What happens during a TMS treatment?

During TMS treatment, you sit in a comfortable chair, and your provider positions the TMS device near to your head. They use precise measurements and neuro-cardio targeting to identify the exact location for treatment. 

When the equipment is in place, they turn on the TMS machine to create the magnetic pulse. Your treatment can last between 3-20 minutes, depending on your specific needs and the type of TMS therapy your provider recommends.

TMS therapy is painless, although you might feel or hear a tapping sensation. You don’t need any sedatives, so you can drive yourself to and from your appointments. TMS treatments don’t require downtime to recover, and you can return to work and other regular activities immediately.

The team at Live Well Psychiatry recommends that you participate in counseling, behavioral activation, or life-journaling to complement your TMS therapy.

The TMS machine we use, MagVenture, is FDA approval for treating OCD. If you’re interested in TMS therapy, call Live Well Psychiatry today. 

Where can I learn more about TMS?

Healthy Minds: Rapid-Acting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - April 2022

The new rapid-acting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy for treatment-resistant depression works in days instead of weeks, and may have implications for use in other mental disorders. Nolan Williams, M.D., Assistant Professor, Director, Interventional Psychiatry Clinical Research and Director, Brain Stimulation Laboratory at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Stanford University Medical Center explains how this non-invasive treatment works.

What's New with TMS for Depression and Other Brain Diseases - April 2018 

Each month The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation hosts a Meet the Scientist Webinar featuring a researcher discussing the latest findings related to mental illness. In April, 2018, the Foundation featured Dr. Mark S. George of the Medical University of South Carolina.

This video is from 2018 and now we are closer to have answered the questions of the site to treat and intensity.

TMS Patient Testimonials: 

As a parent of a teen suffering with depression, I wanted to do whatever I could to help him but I was out of ideas! We had tried the usual treatment route with medication and some therapy, but he couldn’t function well due to the side effects of the medicine and it was hard to find a therapist he felt comfortable with and who could work him into their schedule. I “accidentally” found LiveWell Psychiatry and was intrigued by TMS. I called to find out more and Meghan took the time explaining how it works, what the process was, insurance coverage requirements, and answering all…my questions (which I had a lot)! She was so kind and treated my son and me with compassion and respect. She is very knowledgeable and cares so much about the patient and the process being exactly right for each individual. Dr. Hoopes is right there too, and the entire team made us feel safe and cared about. And the most important part…the results were absolutely amazing!! Through the process, I could see my son’s mental health improving. It is so rewarding as a parent to see him happy again and able to deal with things in positive and healthy ways!! He is so much better at handling even hard days. I can’t say enough good things about Meghan and TMS! If you are wondering if it works or if it is worth trying, it definitely does work and is absolutely worth doing!! We are so glad we found LiveWell Psychiatry and TMS! They literally saved my son and gave him new hope! 

                                                                                         - Jennafer

Finding Live Well Psychiatry and TMS completely changed my life! I was really suffering with depression and had tried the typical treatments. Nothing I tried really helped and the side effects from medication were contributing to my depression. When I met with Dr. Hoopes to see if he could help me, he listened to all of my concerns. Then he told me about TMS as a treatment option. I hadn’t heard of it before, but I was sick of the emotional roller coaster of depression and wanted to find something that would actually help me. When I met Meghan (TMS tech) she instantly made me feel at ease. She was concerned about me personally and was meticulous in setting up my treatment. It took a couple of weeks to really start to feel the changes from the TMS treatment, but after that I felt better after each appointment. Meghan is always kind and fun to work with! She treats you like a friend, not just a number. Now, I have finished my treatments and I feel so much better!! I went from being unsure how much longer I could deal with life and depression to not feeling depressed anymore! I bounce back from tough days so much easier and I can honestly say I’m happy! TMS and the team and Live Well Psychiatry gave me a new life and a lot of hope. The results are almost unbelievable! I’m living proof that this works and absolutely recommend it to anyone suffering with depression! Don’t wait to start! You’ll be so happy you did it!! Thanks again Meghan and Dr. Hoopes! You’re the best! 

                                                                                         - Brandon

I can't express how grateful I am for their support in getting my life back on track. Meghan and the team’s expertise and compassionate approach created a safe and nurturing environment where I felt understood and supported throughout my journey. The RTMs treatment itself was nothing short of transformative. It provided me with the tools and insights I needed to overcome obstacles and regain control of my life. The sessions were tailored to my specific needs, and Meghan's guidance was invaluable in helping me navigate through the challenges I was facing. Not only did Meghan's expertise and the RTMs treatment bring about positive changes, but the overall experience at Live Well Psychiatry was exceptional. The entire team was warm, welcoming, and professional, making each visit a comfortable and uplifting experience. I can confidently say that Meghan and the RTMs treatment team have played a pivotal role in my well-being. My life has taken a positive turn, and I owe a great deal of it to the incredible support I received from Live Well Psychiatry, I wholeheartedly recommend Meghan and their services to anyone in need of guidance and healing. Trust me, you'll be in good hands!

                                                                                         -Erik

We were hopeless before TMS. We had tried so many different things, but none of them had worked. It had gotten to a point where we were desperate to try anything, because I really needed the help. I was barely able to function, and we didn't know what to do. This was our last hope. Although I wasn't very hopeful. I really wanted to believe it would work, but I had been through so much, and so it was hard to believe this would really help. But we gave it a shot. At first I didn't really notice much of a difference, and I felt really discouraged. It was hard to tell if it was impacting me at all. But as time went by my family, and my friends at TMS started noticing the difference. It was so strange how something so simple as TMS was helping so much, it was kind of hard for me to believe, and even accept. I mean I had been struggling with this super real and terrible pain, it just didn't feel right that something so simple as TMS treatment was really helping so much. It's been nearly a year since I did the treatment though, and it's amazing the influence it has had on my life. I still struggle a bit, but it has really helped me function and has taken away a lot of the impact of the pain I had before. I am more myself, and it is so nice and freeing. TMS has greatly blessed my life, and I made life-long friends there as well-the whole team was very kind! I will forever be grateful for the impact it has left on my life. So for those who are dealing with similar things, I would definitely recommend trying it!

                                                                                         - Camille

Our Staff

Meghan Mahoney TMS Technician